Maureen’s Memories

I never met Maureen, but with each essay she contributed to the blog, I felt like, bit by bit, I was getting to know her. I loved Maureen’s writing. She had such great style. Her pieces were always neat and concise. I admired how well she described characters with a few, perfectly chosen words. Maureen painted a picture of her childhood in Milltown, County Kerry with a practical, yet beautiful, brush. She was neither overly sentimental, nor harshly dismissive. Maureen was honest and generous, and I appreciated it so much.

Maureen, 1953

Maureen Angela Teahan was born in September 1928, Milltown, County Kerry, Ireland. She was the firstborn of a large family. The household included a maternal grandfather and an older cousin, all living in a small thatched home. Maureen was educated at Presentation School and received her Leaving Certification from Presentation Secondary School, Milltown, 1944. She emigrated from Ireland in 1947 and lived in Lawrence, Mass. Maureen worked at the Wood Worsted Mills for two years until they closed and moved their operations south. After that she was employed as a nanny for a year, also in Lawrence. Then she moved to Boston and worked for the First National Stores (FINAST) in the meat department. During that time she met her future husband and left FINAST when she married Patrick Murray in 1952. Maureen raised three children and was active with volunteer work, the church and community. Her hobbies included reading, sewing, cooking and gardening for as long as she was able. Maureen passed away on August 19, 2016.

Click here to read Will Murray’s tribute to his mother. View her obituary here.

I miss periodically finding one of Maureen’s stories in my email inbox, but I feel so lucky she chose to share her memories with The Irish In America.